This city offers that option. And the events have titles that intrigue, as cited by city tourism officer Dr. Richard Daenos: Panata at Panalangin, Sa Kanyang mga Sugat, Apunan ning Pasasanmetung, Ang Martir.
“All these activities are open to the public for free up to Easter Sunday, “ Daenos said.
On Good Friday, this city will also have its own version of true-to-life crucifixions on a make shift Golgotha in Barangay Lourdes Northwest.
“But unlike in San Pedro Cutud where there seems to be an oversupply of Kristos to be crucified, we will be more biblical.
One Kristo will be nailed to the cross. The other two to be crucified would represent the two thieves on either side of Jesus,” Daenos said.
Except for the crucifixion, which would be part, if not the highlight, of the reenactment of the Stations of the Cross, most of the other week-long events are slated within the area of the so-called Heritage District.
The district is Angeles’ old downtown, the location of the Pamintuan Mansion where Emilio Aguinaldo led in the first anniversary of Philippine Independence in 1899.
“There’s a local travel agency poised to bring in planeloads of Singaporeans for the Lenten events here,” said Daenos. Nearby Clark International Airport has regular flights from and to Singapore.
Tourists can stay for a week in this city to witness the events spread throughout the rest of the Lenten season, as Daenos noted many hotels that can accommodate thousands in this city.
Daenos explained that Panata at Panalangin is a presentation by award-winning choreographer Peter de Vera that “offers a glimpse of the various practices of the Kapampangan faith and sacrifices through a fusion of visual arts, music, drama and dance.”
Sa Kanyang Suga”, on the other hand, is a Lenten-themed play by the Teatro Angeleno, Inc.
Daenos said that Apunan ning Pisasanmetung is dinner spread on banana leaves over tables 300 meters long in Barangay Tabun, where folk of various faiths bring food to share with each other.
Visitors can partake of the food freely, he noted.
He also explained that Ang Martir is a “dance-drama on the martyrdom of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint.”
Amid the solemnity expected to reign in this city for the Holy Week, Daenos admitted that Fields Avenue, the city’s traditional entertainment district since the years of the US military at Clark, would still keep the “life of its own.”
“At least, the visitors will find there food options,” said Daenos, amid the innumerable restaurants operated by a wide assortment of foreigners in the area.
